Montevideo Carnival, Carnival in Montevideo, Uruguay
The Carnival of Montevideo is a festival lasting over 40 days from late January through March, featuring various performance groups and street parades. Events take place on mobile stages and in venues like Teatro de Verano, where murgas, parodists, comedians, and candombe comparsas perform nightly.
The carnival has roots in Spanish and African traditions brought by immigrants and developed into an organized celebration throughout the 20th century. In 1873 the state held the first official parade and later created competitions and stages to support and formalize the traditions.
The carnival reflects the African heritage of Uruguay through candombe comparsa groups that parade through neighborhoods like Sur and Palermo with traditional drums and decorated banners. These processions represent the cultural identity and historical roots of the Afro-Uruguayan community.
Major events occur along Avenida 18 de Julio and Isla de Flores street where traffic restrictions are in place. Mobile stages are set up in different neighborhoods, allowing visitors to watch performances nearby without traveling far across the city.
The murga is a distinctive genre that originated specifically in Uruguay and was established as a competition category in 1939, featuring satirical lyrics about current events and politics. This form of theatrical singing has evolved from a local phenomenon into one of the carnival's most recognizable features.
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